Police + Cabs = New COPS Program In Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS – The city’s 150 Yellow Cab drivers Tuesday began a program to help police reduce crime by watching for suspicious activity and reporting it. The program, known as COPS (Cabs on Patrol) has been successful in other cities.

Yellow Cab approached police with the idea, saying it makes sense with so many drivers across town day and night. Policewill traindrivers to look for and report suspicious activity withoutgetting directly involved–something that drivers already do to a lesser extent. Drivers can report to police in three ways:By a radio message toaYellow Cab dispatcher; by a call to a special police hotline; and by calling 911.

Since city law bans drivers from carrying guns while on duty, NEWSCHANNEL 13 asked participants if drivers face retaliation from criminals. Police and cab drivers say with cameras inside vehicles and with drivers avoiding direct involvement, there should be no additional risk.

Yellow Cab plans to present cash rewards to drivers who make the most reports to police.